Ford C-Max Does Not Beat Prius V Wagon In Real-World Use
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We've written quite a lot about the gas mileage of Ford's two new 2013 hybrid models, the C-Max and Fusion hybrids.
That's because a lot of shoppers and buyers have been talking about it.
Both cars are rated at 47 mpg combined, and neither car seems to achieve anything close to that rating in varied real-world usage.
Our own latest test of a 2013 Fusion Hybrid, for instance, covered two days and 244 miles and resulted in a fuel-economy reading of 36.8 mpg.
Our test routine, however, is to drive all our cars on a consistent route as we would use them in real life.
That lets us compare different cars to each other, and over time, we've found that our results tally quite closely to owner experiences--if not always EPA ratings.
Now another outlet has brought more rigor to testing the Ford C-Max Hybrid against its closest competitor, the Toyota Prius V wagon (it also included a Prius liftback in its test).
The CleanMPG site (known for its active forums and a strong propensity toward extreme hypermiling) looked specifically at Ford's advertising claim that the C-Max Hybrid gets better gas mileage than the Prius V.
Based on EPA ratings--the only numbers automakers are legally allowed to advertise--that's true. The C-Max is rated at 47 mpg combined, the Prius V at 42 mpg combined.
The article itself is very long, with explanations of the methodology used, route and elevation maps, lots of data to dig into, and photos, maps, and graphs galore.
We recommend that you read the whole piece, titled Ford's 47 mpg City/Highway/Combined Hybrid Ratings Ring Hollow, to understand the thoroughness of the test...but stop reading this piece here if you don't want to hear the bottom line.
Consider this your spoiler alert.
SPOILER ALERT !!!
At the end of CleanMPG's lengthy and detailed test, the observed city driving results for the Ford C-Max delivered 52.0 mpg (against its rated 47 mpg) while the Toyota Prius V logged 55.8 mpg (versus a rating of 44 mpg).
On the highway, the Ford C-Max delivered 35.5 mpg (versus its rated 47 mpg) while the Toyota Prius V came in at 40.8 mpg (against its rated 40 mpg).
In both cases, the Prius V did better against its ratings than the C-Max Hybrid.
That squares with our observation that Toyota Prius models deliver real-world mileage much closer to their EPA ratings than the two new Ford hybrids.
The Priuses have less powerful engines and smaller electric motors, meaning that they're likely more stressed on the unrealistic EPA test cycles than the Ford hybrids.
Or, put another way, the Ford hybrids do much better on the relatively gentle EPA testing runs than they do in real-world driving--when drivers will sometimes (or often) use all the power available under their right foot.
This hasn't stopped Ford from continuing to trumpet the superior EPA ratings. As the site concludes,
Ford’s claims of the C-Max's superiority in city, highway and combined fuel economy over the Prius v per its EPA ratings in press releases and advertisements continue even with the number of counter claims provided by journalists, automobile reviewers, and anecdotal comparison evidence by some very important automotive media outlets.
In any event, we tip our hat to CleanMPG for providing another data point in the discussion of Ford's real-world gas mileage for its C-Max and Fusion hybrid models.
ow serious a problem do you think the Ford hybrid discrepancies are? Does the difference between, say, 37 mpg and 47 mpg in actual driving really affect buyers?
Or are the cars good enough--and still more efficient than non-hybrid competitors in their class--that it won't really matter much?
Leave us your thoughts in the Comments below.
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As a driving experience for both city and highway, the Prius is appalling shy and far less comfortable then either Ford cars.
I would suggest that your evaluation of Ford be better considered. Your too one dimensional and hard of the real world.
I'd agree with your general assessment of the Prius versus the Fords, though perhaps not in the same language.
But that's part of the point: The more pleasant driving experience of the Fords seems to come with a cost in real-world gas mileage, regardless of what the EPA ratings may be.
I have seen mileage experiences that are greater then the one experience that you described. I also drove the Prius in the city of San Francisco and never saw the mileage promised.
Separately the Prius plug-in which provides totally trivial mileage on electric makes little sense. Frankly, I find the Prius so lethargic that's its use on the highway would be limited for me.
This wasn't an attempt to tell the "complete story" of every aspect of the cars, but to focus on their real-world fuel economy of the hybrids that are available to every U.S. car buyer.
And, again, I think your comment is equally well directed at the CleanMPG writers who did the original test that we reported on. No?
Nothing is free. More power will cost more fuel...
Prius is #1 in California b/c a lot of "green" people like to make "green" statement in California. I call them "green" sheeps...
Additionally, the Ford's acceleration capability next to the Prius gets a thumbs up on the highway.
I must say the Ford plug-ins to be more than a match for the Prius on efficiency, comfort, acceleration including the ability to get out of tight spots among very aggressive drivers on freeways.
But don't confuse the 150mpge with 150 "fake MPG" (not including electricity usage).
Like I calculated before, based on the weight, tires and power alone, those Fusion and C-Max won't achieve the 47MPG EPA rating in the "real world". But achieving 38-40mpg in real world is totally possible.
Just clip the top speed of electric mode at lower speed and less power, its MPGe will shoot through the roof...
Evaluations need to be about a bit more than a one dimension comparative. I certainly agree that efficiency is important. But it needs to be put in a context of other considerations. Certainly, those who evaluate ought to consider more then mpg. Truly there is a capable public out there, who expects more.
Great efficiency when you need it and good performance when you want it.
The widely publicized NHTSA Volt that caught fire did so several DAYS after a crash test, because its battery was not de-energized after it had been hauled to a wrecking yard. Here's the article we wrote on the final investigation:
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1072007_nhtsa-closes-chevy-volt-battery-pack-fire-safety-investigation
Of course, if you know of any actual Volt fires that have occurred, I'm sure the NHTSA would like to know about them--as we would too here at Green Car Reports. Please do post those links here!
Thanks for the link. Did you notice another interesting information from the "study"? In the Hwy test,
C-Max displayed 37.2mpg while it was measured to be 35.537mpg.
Prius V displayed 43.6mpg while it was 40.768mpg.
Prius liftback displayed 47.1mpg while it was 43.298mpg.
The display in the Prius liftback was off the MOST by %. And that 43mpg matches my personal experience with the Prius.
Beside C-Max, should we investigate Prius Liftback as well for its "misrepresentation"? If you remember that according to Consumer Report, Ford C-Max and Fusion hybrid were off by the most from its EPA rating, followed by the Prius liftback in their testing...
I've had my FFH for four months. I spend the majority of my driving above 70 mph and, combined with a colder than normal winter, I average 36 mpg, which is more than twice my last vehicle. I'm extremely happy with my FFH. If I drive like a granny I get 44+ mpg, but I won't drive that way. My ten mile commute home gets between 38-42 mpg.
Have an opinion?Join the conversation!